For many Christians, Bible reading can sometimes feel like flipping through a family photo album without any names or dates written on the back. The stories are familiar, the characters beloved, but how it all fits together? That’s where things get fuzzy.
Yet, the Bible wasn’t written as a collection of random inspirational quotes or disjointed stories. It’s a unified narrative, inspired by God, telling the story of his redemptive plan from creation to new creation. And to read it well—and apply it faithfully—we need to know not just what it says, but when it says it.
The Bible Isn’t Just a Book—It’s a Story
From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture tells one big story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. God creates, man falls, God promises redemption, and ultimately brings that redemption through Jesus Christ. Understanding where we are in that story when we read a passage helps us interpret it more accurately.
For example, God’s command to Israel to conquer Canaan (Joshua) must be read in its historical and covenantal context, not as a timeless directive for Christians. Similarly, the laws in Leviticus meant something specific for Israel under the Mosaic covenant. But Jesus fulfilled that covenant (Matt. 5:17), and so we relate to those laws differently as members of the new covenant.
Without a grasp of the timeline, we risk pulling verses out of context or misapplying passages meant for different people in different times. That can lead not only to confusion but even to theological error.
Key Moments That Anchor the Bible’s Story
While the Bible spans thousands of years and dozens of authors, there are key events that serve as anchor points in its timeline. Here are just a few that every believer should be familiar with:
- Creation (Genesis 1–2): The foundation of all theology—God is Creator, and we are his image-bearers.
- The Fall (Genesis 3): The entry of sin into the world, which sets the stage for God’s redemptive plan.
- God’s Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 17): The promise of land, seed, and blessing, which echoes throughout the rest of Scripture.
- The Exodus and the Law (Exodus 12–20): Israel’s rescue from Egypt and the giving of the Law form the basis of the old covenant.
- The Kingdom and the Temple (1 Samuel – 1 Kings): God’s people in the Promised Land, ruled by kings, with the Temple at the center of worship.
- The Exile (2 Kings 17, 25): Because of unfaithfulness, Israel and Judah are sent into exile, raising the question: will God keep His promises?
- The Return and Rebuilding (Ezra–Nehemiah): Some return, but it’s clear that the full restoration is still to come.
- The Coming of Christ (Gospels): The climax of the story. Jesus is the true Son of David, the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, and the Savior of the world.
- The Church Age (Acts – present): The gospel goes to the nations, and God’s people now include Jew and Gentile in Christ.
- The Second Coming and New Creation (Revelation): History concludes not in chaos but in glory, with God dwelling with His people forever.
Knowing this big-picture timeline doesn’t mean you need a seminary degree. It just means being aware of the flow of redemptive history. When you know where you are on the map, you’re less likely to get lost.
Right Application Comes from Right Interpretation
Paul told Timothy to “rightly handle the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). That includes understanding when a passage fits into God’s plan. If we make straight-line application from Old Testament Israel to the church, or apply promises made to David directly to ourselves without understanding their ultimate fulfilment in Christ, we miss the deeper meaning.
For example, Jeremiah 29:11—“I know the plans I have for you…”—was written to exiles in Babylon. It’s a beautiful verse, but its primary meaning is rooted in a specific moment in Israel’s history. When we know that, we can still draw encouragement from it, but we won’t misuse it as a blanket promise for prosperity today.
Or take the book of Acts. It describes the early church, but not everything in it is meant to be prescriptive for the church today. Understanding where Acts fits in the timeline helps us discern what is descriptive of a unique moment in church history, and what carries forward as a pattern.
A Better Grasp Leads to Deeper Worship
Ultimately, the goal of understanding the Bible’s timeline isn’t to win trivia contests or debate theological nuances (as fun as that might be sometimes!). It’s to better know and love the God who reveals himself through his Word.
When we see how God has faithfully unfolded His plan across centuries—through flawed people, through suffering, through exile and return—we are moved to worship. We gain confidence that he is sovereign, that his promises never fail, and that our lives are part of something far bigger than ourselves.
Tools to Get You Started
If this sounds overwhelming, start small. Here are a few simple resources to help:
- A chronological Bible reading plan
- A Bible timeline chart (many study Bibles include these)
- A book like According to Plan by Graeme Goldsworthy or God’s Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts
And as you read, keep asking: Where am I in the story? and How does this point to Jesus?
Understanding the Bible’s timeline and key events isn’t just for scholars—it’s for every Christian who wants to read God’s Word with clarity and conviction. The better we know where we are in the story, the more faithfully we can live in light of it.
God has given us a true story. Let’s be good stewards of it—reading it, applying it, and proclaiming it until the day Jesus returns.
Chalmers' Blog 